Installing a toilet

You should get a competent plumber to install, or at the very least check, all rough plumbing when you build a new house. However, a number of accessories and appliances, among them the toilet, can be very easily installed by a do--it-yourselfer.

Familiarize yourself with every step of the process before undertaking the installation of a toilet. And do not hesitate to call your renovation centre if you have questions.

Please note that the following instructions cover the installation of a two piece toilet.
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Preliminary steps
Installation steps
1. Install the toilet bowl
2. Position the bowl
3. Install the tank
4. Intall the water supply line
5. Complete and test the installation

Preliminary steps

Replacing a faulty toilet or changing a toilet for a new look isn't a difficult job. However, call a professional if the toilet has been slowly leaking over a long period of time--the flooring may be rotted.

Before you go shopping for a toilet, measure the distance from the wall (not the baseboards) to the bolts holding the bowl to the floor, referred to as the "footprint". The standard footprint is 12 inches, however it can vary depending on the age and style of the toilet. Make sure your new one will fit. Also check whether low-flush toilets are required in your area. Once you've bought the new toilet, remove all the packaging and inspect the toilet carefully for cracks or blemishes in the glazing that may have occurred during shipping.

  • Disconnecting supply
    • Turn off water supply to the toilet at the shut-off valve located beside the toilet. If there is no valve, close the main water supply to the house.
    • Flush the toilet.
    • Unscrew the handle from the shutoff valve. With a pair of adjustable wrenches, disconnect the water supply line from the valve (left) and from the toilet tank.
    • Wearing kitchen gloves, sponge out the remaining water from the tank. Plunge and bail as much water as possible from the bowl.

  • Removing the old tank
    • With a ratchet wrench, unscrew the nuts on the bolts holding the tank to the toilet (left)--hold the tank bolts inside the tank with a screwdriver while you unscrew the nuts.
    • Lift the tank from the bowl and remove it from the work area.

      Safety Tip: The tank and bowl are heavy so wear a back support and lift with the legs. If possible get a helping hand.

  • Freeing the old bowl
    • Use a screwdriver to pry off the caps from the bolts on either side of the toilet base.
    • Remove the nuts on the floor bolts with an adjustable wrench (left).

  • Removing the old bowl
    • Rock the bowl back and forth to break the seal between the toilet and the flange. Lift the bowl off the bolts. With a helper, remove the toilet from the work area. The bottom of the toilet will have some wax on the bottom so set it down on cardboard or newspaper.
    • Plug the drain hole with rag to prevent sewer odors from escaping and to prevent tools from being dropped into the drain. If you're not installing the new toilet right away, cover the drain with cardboard and place a concrete block over the drain to eliminate any risk of a rodent invading from the sewer.
    • Remove the flange bolts and scrape the remaining wax (left) from the flange with a putty knife. Wipe the flange clean with a rag.
    • Inspect the flange carefully to make sure it isn't cracked or bent. If so, call a plumber to replace it.

Installation steps

1. Install the toilet bowl

Lay the toilet bowl upside down on a pile of newspapers or a blanket to avoid scratching it. Place the wax seal (with horn) around the discharge and apply plumbers putty around the outside perimeter of the bowl.

2. Position the bowl

Put the bowl back right side up and position it over the floor opening, being careful to line up the holes at the base of the bowl with the bolts on the floor flange. Apply pressure on the bowl to ensure good adherence of the wax seal and plumbing sealant. Attach the bowl to the floor using the bolts and cover the nuts with caps. Do not over tighten as porcelain is brittle and cracks easily. Check that the bowl is level if not use plastic shims to level the water closet.

3. Install the tank

Before installing the tank, install the flush handle, the float ball and the tank ball if it hasn't already been done. Turn the tank upside down and place the connection ring on the water outlet. Turn the tank right side up and line up the bolt holes with those on the bowl. Take two bolts and two rubber washers. Slide the bolts through the holes, slide the rubber washers over the protruding ends of the bolts and lock in place with two nuts. Tighten the bolts symetrically, meaning tighted one side a few turns then the other side. Proceed like this until the tank is settled.

4. Intall the water supply line

Install the water supply line, attaching it first to the shutoff valve. Then connect the other end to the ball-cock supply valve connector located under the tank. Tighten the connecting nuts while firmly holding the ball-cock supply valve.

5. Complete and test the installation

Run a damp cloth or your finger around the base of the bowl to remove any excess plumbers putty.
You’re in a rush to replace your toilet, but not paying a plumber’s bill? We hope that this advice and description of all the steps will help you plan the task properly.
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